Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a synchronized program delivery of training and self-paced learning a communication network. It is another object of the invention to create a virtual classroom available to clients over a distributed network, thus decreasing the cost of education by eliminating travel costs. The invention provides a delivery environment simulating a classroom including functions for synchronized viewing of multimedia content and shared multimedia objects. A system and method is provided for synchronizing and serving multimedia content in a distributed network. In one aspect there is a synchronization server, a content server, and at least one client. The synchronization server provides indication of an update to a multimedia resource to the client. The content server provides content information to the client based upon the indication provided by the synchronization server.

Abstract: A transport assembly for transporting an object axially along a rail of a ladder. The assembly comprises a platform for supporting the object at a selected axial position. A coupling mechanism is employed to slidably connect the platform to the rail. The coupling mechanism includes a locking mechanism and a connector for connecting the coupling mechanism to the platform. Axial displacement of the object along the rail is such that the locking mechanism permits relative axial displacement of the assembly with respect to the rail in a first direction, and inhibits the relative axial displacement in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a synchronized program delivery of training and self-paced learning a communication network. It is another object of the invention to create a virtual classroom available to clients over a distributed network, thus decreasing the cost of education by eliminating travel costs. The invention provides a delivery environment simulating a classroom including functions for synchronized viewing of multimedia content and shared multimedia objects. A system and method is provided for synchronizing and serving multimedia content in a distributed network. In one aspect there is a synchronization server, a content server, and at least one client. The synchronization server provides indication of an update to a multimedia resource to the client. The content server provides content information to the client based upon the indication provided by the synchronization server.

Abstract: A transport assembly for transporting an object axially along a rail of a ladder. The assembly comprises a platform for supporting the object at a selected axial position. A coupling mechanism is employed to slidably connect the platform to the rail. The coupling mechanism includes a locking mechanism and a connector for connecting the coupling mechanism to the platform. Axial displacement of the object along the rail is such that the locking mechanism permits relative axial displacement of the assembly with respect to the rail in a first direction, and inhibits the relative axial displacement in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for establishing a solder bond between a solder ball grid array and a circuit mounted on a substrate includes a bonding tool having a bonding tip for applying heat to the site of one or more of the solder balls in the solder ball grid array, a transducer for measuring displacement of the bonding tip during the bonding operation, and a signal generator responsive to the transducer for providing a signal indicative of tip displacement. The signal generated by the signal generator may be fed back to the bonding tool to optimize bonding parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating cold and hot for application selectively by contact on an object having a paint or coating whose color changes in response to cold and hot temperatures. The apparatus is easy to hold and handle with one hand while holding an object for application, e.g., a doll or toy car, in the other hand. The apparatus includes a battery powered thermoelectric device having a cold sink shaped to form a cold applicator for cooling the paint sufficiently to change its color, and a heat sink shaped to form a heat applicator for changing back the color. For a doll, the cold sink applicator is used to change, for example, the natural color of the lips and cheeks to a make-up color, and a heat sink shaped to form a comb for combing the doll's hair and a heat applicator for returning the natural color of the doll's lips and cheeks through heat application.

Abstract: A double extruded heat sink for a thermoelectric cooler is disclosed which includes first and second finned plates. The first (base) plate has spaced long fins and pairs of spaced short fins spaced between adjacent long fins. The end fins have male members formed thereon. The second plate has spaced long fins. Each long fin corresponding with the space between the pair of spaced short fins of the first plate for engaging the inner surfaces of the spaced short fins and making good thermal contact therewith when the first and second plates are press fitted together. The end fins of the second plate's fins have female members formed thereon for engaging the male members to lock the first and second plates together when press fitted. The long fins of the first and second plates are serrated to increase their heat dissipating areas. The double extruded heat sink thereby provides a number of fins substantially greater than can be obtained using single extrusion techniques.

Abstract: A heat dissipating device and method for dissipating waste heat produced by a solid state device, which includes (a) a solid state device and (b) a heat sink for dissipating waste heat produced by the solid state device which includes a base member being in thermal contact with the solid state device and a plurality of elongated heat conducting elements extending outwardly from the base member.

Abstract: A transport apparatus, for hauling data storage media requiring environmental protection to and from a permanent storage site, includes a portable transport module and a transport cart. The transport module includes an insulated housing having guides for receiving shelves adapted to hold motion picture films, audio and video tapes, and photography film and provide ready access to and protection against movement during transit. A thermoelectric heat pump assembly heats or cools the interior of the insulated housing. A temperature sensor and a humidity sensor in the housing produce temperature and humidity measurement signals. Connectors are provided to connect power to the thermoelectric heat pump assembly and to output the temperature and humidity measuring signals. An ancillary power supply and control system are included to operate the transport module when separated from the transport cart.

Abstract: A thermoelectric cooler device having thermoelectric elements of n and p type semiconductor material arranged in rows and columns between insulating substrates of alumina or beryllia, or ceramic materials having a known emissivity is coated with material(s) having an emissivity substantially lower than that of the thermoelectric cooler. The coating includes a layer of insulating material on at least a portion of the surfaces of the thermoelectric cooler, a layer of diffusion barrier forming material on the insulating layer, and a layer of low emissivity material on the diffusion barrier layer. For example, the insulating layer is silicon dioxide having a thickness of about 10,000 Angstroms, the diffusion barrier layer is titanium tungsten having a thickness of about 400-500 Angstroms, and the low emissivity layer is gold having a thickness of about 1,000 Angstroms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a walk-in inspection apparatus for active production of air samples containing vapors of explosives, drugs, or other substances carried by a person. The apparatus includes a U-shaped booth with an open end through which a person walks past walls which may contain a metal detector, then stands facing a vertical end wall. In the collection of an air sample a blower outside the booth sucks a large volume of air around the person and horizontally through a vertical array of shaped funnels in the end wall and through ducts connected to a collection manifold for subsequent analysis. Infrared heaters in the end wall heat the clothing and skin of the person during sampling, and many small nozzles extending through the end wall direct low volume, high momentum pulsed jets of puffs of air at the person to dislodge vapors, expel air from beneath clothing, and disrupt stagnant boundary layers of air near the person.

Abstract: Disclosed is a walk-in inspection apparatus for active production of air samples containing vapors of explosives, drugs, or other substances carried by a person. The apparatus includes a U-shaped booth with an open end through which a person walks past walls which may contain a metal detector, then stands in front of a mesh screen facing a vertical end wall containing a vertical array of shaped funnels. Light-transmissive wall sections near the end wall help encourage entry of the person into the booth, and the light colored mesh screen draws attention of a person in the booth away from the darker funnels. In the collection of an air sample a blower outside the booth sucks a large volume of air around the person and horizontally through the funnels in the end wall and through ducts into a collection manifold for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A colored thermal joint compound consists of a mixture of a thermal joint compound and a powdered coloring agent of proportions sufficient to form a colloidal solution. The thermal joint compound is, for example, a zinc oxide in either a silicone oil or mineral oil base, and the coloring agent is, for example, a colored calcium carbonate powder of colloidal size particles.

Abstract: A videotape storage cabinet is disclosed which includes a housing having a base portion supporting a videotape cooling compartment, a heat sink compartment, and a top, the top for supporting the videotape user equipment. A temperature controlled thermoelectric heat pump is mounted between the compartments with a cold sink and a heat sink extending into the cooling and heating compartments, respectively. The cold sink provides videotape bins designed to support videotapes individually for cooling by the cold sink. A drawer is provided in the cooling compartment for a drying agent. The drying agent may be in either packaged form or bulk form for placement in the drawer. The drying agent is to control the moisture content of the cold air in the cooling compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator/food warmer includes an insulated food compartment and lid. A thermoelectric heat exchanger and air circulator are mounted in the lid with both a heatsink of the thermoelectric heat exchanger and an air impeller of the air circulator above and below the lid, respectively. The air impeller above the lid draws air through the corresponding heat sink for improving the temperature differential between opposing sides of the thermoelectric heat exchanger, and the air impeller below the lid forces air of the insulated housing through the corresponding heat sink for conditioning the air hot or cold, as desired, and circulating the conditioned air throughout the insulated housing.

Abstract: A noiseless refrigerator is provided for use in single room sleeping quarters. The refrigerator has a housing having a freezing compartment, a cooling compartment, a storage compartment and a vented compartment. The freezing compartment has a bottom having a plurality of recesses formed therein for removably receiving a plurality of ice cube trays and a back side affixed to an "L" shaped plate support member attached to the inside of a refrigerator wall. The "L" shaped plate freezer compartment support member is in thermal contact with a plurality of blocks of high thermal conductivity material passing through the refrigerator walls to the vented compartment. A plurality of thermoelectric heat pumps are mounted in the vented compartment and have their hot plates attached to a heat sink for ventilation.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for producing polymeric acetal carboxylate salts useful as detergent builders. The process comprises polymerization of an alkyl glyoxylate, optionally with one or more comonomers; addition of stabilizing endgroups; and saponification of the polymeric ester to produce the polymeric acetal carboxylate salts. Active yield is improved by reducing the number of polymer chains with unstable temporary endcaps entering the saponification step.

Abstract: A positioning system for a line printer uses dc servomotors for driving a forms feed mechanism in increments of one or more line spaces at a time. The system includes a microprocessor and a position counter that counts either 1/4 or 1 degree displacement pulses generated by a motion indicating means including optical transducers and an emitter disk coupled to the motors. The motion indicating means includes an error hold and compensation counter that counts and stores 1/4 degree pulses generated during error movement of the motors relative to a stop position during the uncontrolled state and supplies a corrected 1 degree pulse to the position counter upon start up.